Holy Cross advances to state basketball semifinal losing on buzzer beater

Posted on April 2, 2025 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

Holy Cross advanced to the PIAA Class 3A boys basketball semifinals, losing at the buzzer, 58-57, to West Catholic Saturday, March 22, at Parkland High School, Allentown.

After almost four full quarters of intense basketball. West Catholic sophomore Jayvon Byrd caught an in-bounds pass with a little more than a second left on the clock and drilled a 3-pointer to lift the Burrs to a dramatic 58-57 win over the Crusaders.

It was a heartbreaking loss for coach Al Callejas, Jr. and his Crusaders who were hoping to go to the state final.

The buzzer beater set off a wild celebration and trip to the state final for the Burrs.

Holy Cross (25-5) reached the PIAA Class 2A final last season.

Senior Michael Hughes, who was named Times-Tribune Player of the Week following the loss, nearly delivered a win for the Crusaders.

He made key steal when West Catholic tried to hold the ball for a final shot with 1:30 left in the game with the score knotted, 55-55.

Then after a timeout, Hughes, a Class 2A all-state player last year, drove to the basket in the final seconds and drew a foul. A clutch performer, Hughes swished both foul shots to give the Crusaders a 57-55 lead with 6.4 seconds left in the contest and two fouls to give.

Holy Cross forced West Catholic to chew up time by committing both fouls.

That set up the Burrs underneath the basket with 1.6 seconds left.

Adam Badyrka of Holy Cross then kicked a pass on an in-bounds play, but there was still 1.3 seconds left.

Naseem Perez then found Byrd open and he hit the game winning 3-pointer. The Crusaders collapsed to the gym floor as the basketball sailed through the net.

“I am heartbroken for these kids,” coach Callejas, Jr. said. “They gave me everything they had.”

Holy Cross standout Matt Lyons scored 14 points and had four rebounds in the tough loss. “It was a hard fought game and we gave all the effort we had,” he said.

“The team played great all year. It was amazing to see what we could do after how far we went last year. Getting back to the eastern final, in a higher classification is not an easy task. Everyone left it all out there for what was to be the final game for us. It’s just a shame it had to end that way.”

Adam Badyrka also scored 14 points and hauled down six rebounds. “It was a tough loss, but a great season,” he said.

“The season was unbelievable and a great ride. I wouldn’t want to do it with any other group of guys. It’s tough to go out like that, but it’s a season to remember. This team was special and it’s going to be one to remember. I love this group of guys, the seniors, the coaching staff and the entire Holy Cross community. If not for them, this season is not possible. I hope for the best for all the seniors on their road to the future.”

Hughes, who scored a team high 15 points, reflected on the loss and great season. “The run our team made this year was very fun,” he said. “I made so many memories with my teammates and coaches. I could not have asked to play with a better group of people. I am definitely going to miss the experience.”

Despite losing to Riverside, 61-50, in the District 2 Class 3A final, the Crusaders began the state playoffs with an overtime win over Troy, 72-68. Holy Cross then beat Audenried Charter, 58-55. The Crusaders easily beat Lancaster Mennonite, 63-52, to advance to the state semifinal.

Hughes led the Crusaders with 15.5 points per game this season. Lyons averaged 14.9 points and Badyrka 14.0 points.

C.J. Thompson and Mario Matrone were also key contributors on the team. Thompson was named Times-Tribune Lackawanna League Division II Defensive Player of the Year. Both Thompson and Lyons were named to the All-Defensive team.

Hughes and Lyons were both named Lackawanna League boys coaches’ first-team all-stars.

Athlete of the Month: Kaci Kranson

Posted on April 2, 2025 by The Dunmorean

Former Holy Cross standout is Landmark and Region 5 player of year

By Steve Svetovich

Kaci Kranson is a former Times-Tribune Athlete of the Year and standout basketball and softball performer at Holy Cross High School.. Her accolades were lengthy in both sports.

President of her class with a 4.0 grade point average, Kaci surpassed over 1,500 points breaking the school record.

So what does she do for an encore?

She enrolls at the University of Scranton, where by her junior year she becomes a three-time First-Team All-Landmark Selection in basketball. Even more impressive this season, Kaci was named Landmark Conference Player of the Year and Region 5 Player of the Year.

But more important to Kaci, she helped lead the Lady Royals to a 29-2 record, including another Landmark Championship and trip to the Final 8 of the NCAA playoffs before a 81-77 loss to Wisconsin-Stout on Saturday, March 15.

A second-team All-American, Kaci scored 536 points this season. She averaged 17.3 points per game. She was named Landmark Athlete of the Week a half dozen times.

Daughter of Jill and Ryan Kranson, she is a criminal justice major at the University of Scranton with aspirations to become a police officer like her mom. A Dean’s List student, she has a 3.6 grade point average.

Hard working and humble, Kaci, 21, said it’s nice to receive awards but her goals are more team oriented.

“Sure, I was excited to receive the awards,” she said, “but it’s a reflection on the team. My team has been preparing hard for this season since September. We were very excited to get as far as we did, but it was expected. We did not want to settle for less. We were very excited to win the Landmark, but we wanted to get into the Final Four in the NCAA playoffs.

“This team worked hard from day one. It means everything to the whole team to go as far as we did.

“We made ourselves the best possible version of a team. In the back of our minds, we could win every game and go as far as possible. We took it game by game.

“We strived for this. We showed who we are.”

Kaci excelled at both softball and basketball at Holy Cross, so it was a tough decision regarding which sport she would play in college.

“I was blessed with two great high school coaches in Barry Fitzgerald and Joe Ross, so I was unsure what I wanted to do. Originally, I was going to,play softball. Then I had a chance to play basketball for former Dunmore coach Ben O’Brien. It became a no brainer for me.”

Always team-oriented, Kaci said she learned a lot from her parents over the years.

“They always tell me to live in the moment, have fun and enjoy each day. Always work hard for what you need to do. Nothing is ever handed to you. You need to work for it.”

Well-spoken and articulate, Kaci said she has learned so much from Coach O’Brien. “He is just a tremendous coach,” she said.

“He taught me about so many different aspects of the game, including the mental approach. He taught me about the confidence you need in order to,play this game. You always need to think you are going to make your next shot even if you miss a few.”

The standout forward-guard said she misses softball. “I do miss it,” she said. “I was fortunate to play travel ball and in high school for both softball and basketball. I was even more fortunate to have two great high school coaches. I keep in touch with both. Coach Ross came to a couple of my college games. Coach Fitzgerald is often there for my college games. I was blessed to have both of them.”

Kaci, always positive, talked about her future. “I want to get this team to the Final Four next year,” she said. “It’s going to be my last year playing a competitive sport. The Final Four is the main goal. I want to savor everything and win as much as possible in my senior year. It’s hard to believe my last year is coming up. I will cherish the moments.

“Time will tell if I play any more basketball after college. I want to focus on school and get into law enforcement. I want to become a police officer like my mom. She has been a great inspiration to me. I might want to eventually get into coaching, starting out as an assistant. I’ve been involved with sports my whole life.”

Michael Hughes is strong leader for Holy Cross

Posted on March 5, 2025 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

Holy Cross senior guard Michael Hughes is a leader and strong producer for the Holy Cross Crusaders basketball team.

Named Lackawanna League Division III Player of the Year last season, the talented senior guard picked up right where he left off.

Son of Michael and Michele Hughes, Michael, Jr. is averaging 15.0 points and close to four assists per game for the Crusaders. He also averages 3.5 rebounds per contest as a guard.

With a 22-3 record at press time, Michael is the point guard and floor general who so far this season led Holy Cross to a league championship and two wins in the district playoffs for a shot at the district title.

Michael scored 12 points in the league championship win over Riverside, 60-57.

He scored 16 points in his team’s 86-47 win over Lakeland in the first round of the district playoffs.

Michael poured in 15 points in the Crusaders convincing 80-49 win over Elk Lake in the district semi final contest Saturday, February 22.

The win earned Holy Cross a shot at the district championship.

The scholar-athlete has a highly impressive 3.9 grade point average at Holy Cross. His best academic subject is math.

Besides being Player of the Year last season, Michael was named All Region, first-team All State, and first-team Lackawanna League Coaches’ all-star.

The hard-working senior is undecided about a college yet, but wants to play college basketball and study business/finance.

He talked about his goals. “I want to keep my grades up in high school and college,” he said. “I want to win a state basketball title this year. I want to go to college, work hard, play basketball, and be a success in life.”

The tough-minded, mature senior said he learned a lot from his parents. “They tell me to work hard all the time and listen to the good people who surround you. And, don’t compare yourself to others, because comparison is the thief of joy.”

The sharp shooter has over 1,100 career points at Holy Cross. He scored his 1,000th career point against Old Forge.

Michael talked about what it takes to excel at the point guard position.

“You need to be a good floor general. You need to knock down the shot and also create for others.”

The senior standout said Holy Cross basketball coach Al Callejas, Jr. teaches him a lot.

“He tells us to go as hard as you can all the time. He tells us not to take any game or situation for granted. Go as hard as you can on every play and don’t give up on a play.”

Michael enjoys listening to music in his spare time and would like to see Drake in concert.

Personable, with a positive attitude, Michael said he has enjoyed his experience at Holy Cross as the final months of his senior year approach.

“It’s been a very fun and exciting experience from day one,” he said. “We made a deep run in the state playoffs last year. It was a lot of fun. We have a great school band that brings us a lot of energy. They bring the energy every game. We want to win a state championship this year. That’s the goal. Holy Cross is a great experience.”